Machines - Mechanics                       
COLUMN RISER
Codex Atlanticus f. 138 r. Dimension: CM. 60 X 60 X 150 Description: This is a typical example of simplifying man's work: a series of screws, help a column to rise in a simple and safe way and place it upon its base.
CRANE WITH RING PLATFORM
Codex Atlanticus f. 808 v. Dimension: CM. 60 X 60 X 190 Description: As a young man, Da Vinci had studied a wide number of devices used to lift weights. In Florence there were building sites everywhere and Brunelleschi himself had designed some cranes in order to build the dome of the Cathedral. As a consequence, Da Vinci also decided to design several cranes to lift heavy weights.
AUTOMATON OR ROBOT
Codex Atlanticus f. 579 r. Dimension: CM. 60 X 60 X 140 Description: One of Da Vinci’s most curious drawings portrays the mechanism of an automaton in medieval armour, which, besides being used for theatrical purposes, was also used during a royal reception. On that occasion, several automatons were placed in a line and thanks to a special controlling device raised their arms to greet the king.
MULTISPEED WINDLASS
Codex Atlanticus f.1083 v. Dimension: CM. 60 X 60 X 170 Description: The exploitation of labour on animals, in this case oxen and horses, helps man not to tire himself using this windlass for weight-lifting. Despite the complexity of the design and model even this one is totally functioning, and all the rules of construction dictated by Leonardo are respected.
TWO LEAF SPRING CAR
Codex Atlanticus f. 812 r. Dimension: CM. 140 X 185 X 113 Description: Extremely famous drawing, which has been nicknamed “Da Vinci’s car”. It was most likely used for stage performances, it is equipped with three wheels and a steering column. For a long time, experts thought that its motion relied upon two leaf springs, while we now know that the device can move thanks to coiled springs placed under the wheels.
BICYCLE
Codex Atlanticus f. 133 v. Dimension: CM. 175 X 60 X 120 Description: Our craftsmen have worked with great wheel to make sure that this model would be the closest to the one drawn by Leonardo on the Atlantic code. This model, as all the other ones, is perfectly functioning.
VERTICAL DRILL
Codex Atlanticus f. 34 r. Dimension: CM. 60 X 60 X 180 Description: This drawing shows a hydraulic drill whose underlying mechanical concept is similar to that of today’s drills. The device was operated by two men who, according to the depth it must reach, would add poles connected to the perforating metal head.
TONGS
Codex Madrid I f.22 r. Dimension: CM. 60 X 60 X 160 Description: In order to lift and move building materials or any other weight, Leonardo Da Vinci decided to improve the mechanism based on a series of tongs. The rope’s traction triggers the grip, which becomes stronger as the height increases and is automatically released when the object touches the ground.
CART WITH DIFFERENTIAL GEAR
Codex Atlanticus f. 1049 Dimension: CM. 120 X 80 X 80 Description: This drawing displays the device for the transmission of motion to the axle of a cart. A crank turns the gearwheel that engages the lantern pinion linked to the axle of the cart and increases its speed. The motion is transmitted to one wheel only thus allowing the other one to move at a different speed when entering a turn.
ODOMETER
Codex Atlanticus f. 1a Dimension: CM. 60 X 145 X 132 Description: This instrument helps to calculate exact distances. Thanks to a system of cogwheels a small sphere falls at a precise distance.
CRANE WITH CENTRAL WINCH
Codex Atlanticus f. 105 bv Dimension: CM. 60 X 60 X 140 Description: This machine is one of the many cranes Da Vinci studied while he was living in Florence. He tried to improve existing cranes especially those designed by Brunelleschi
FILE CARVER
Codex Atlanticus f. 24 Dimension: CM. 60 X 60 X 165 Description: It is possible to see the hammer beating on the file while it whithdraws, in a completely automatic way. A true example of industrial revolution, since all the files produced by this model are identical.
FOSSILS
Manuscript I f. 24v. 25 r. - Manoscritto F f.80 r. Dimension: CM. 60 X 60 X 117 Description: Due to his studies and drawings on fossils and on the composition and classification of rocks and mountains, Leonardo is considered the first geologist in history.
BRUNELLESCHI CRANE
B.R. 228 (BNCF) f.107 v. Dimension: CM. 60 X 60 X 140 Description: Since his youth, Leonardo had always been fascinated by the big cranes designed by Brunelleschi and used to build the Cathedral dome of Florence. Many cranes appear in the codes.
POLE ERECTING MACHINE
Codex Madrid I f. 43 r. Dimension: CM. 60 X 60 X 140 Description: A rope is horizontally tied to the wheels of a winch and lifts the long pole from its base. The same wheels reduce friction, thus reducing the required effort.
FLOODLIGHT
Codex Atlanticus f. 34 r. Dimension: CM. 60 X 60 X 120 Description: A simple box with a big glass lens fixed on one side and a candle inside: that is how Leonardo created a “beautiful and bright light”.
AUTOMATIC ROASTING-JACK
Codex Atlanticus f. 21 r. Dimension: CM. 60 X 60 X 120 Description: The rising air moves a propeller engaging a shaft. A pulley at the end of the shaft causes the spit to turn. The rising air automatically generates movement; the speed of the spit depends on the size of the fire.
HYDRAULIC DRILL
Codex Madrid I f.25 v. Dimension: CM. 60 X 60 X 170 Description: A hydraulic horizontal wheel powers this instrument for drilling trunks to make pipes.
NIGHT CLOCK
Codex Atlanticus foglio 394 v. Dimension: CM. 60 X 60 X 130 Description: Leonardo solved the problem of the measurement of time at night by putting an appropriately graduated rod beside a lit candle.
BRONZE STUDY OF THE SFORZA HORSE
Codex Royal Collection Windsor Dimension: CM. 60 X 60 X 80 Description: With this imposing statue, which was to be made in bronze and had to be high almost 7 metres, Ludovico Sforza wanted to celebrate his father Francesco’s military successes as well as his own achievements.
POLYHEDRON
Codex Atlanticus f. 709 r. Dimension: CM. 100 X 100 X 100 Description: Among all other things, Leonardo was interested in geometry. This drawing represents an axonometry of three intersecting squares.
THEATRICAL STAGING FOR ORPHEUS
Codex Atlanticus f.50 r. Dimension: CM. 100 X 80 X 150 Description: Leonardo was particularly skilled at realising theatrical machines rich in special effects. For this model he evidently took inspiration from Brunelleschi.
LEONARDO’S BRONZE LYRE
Codex Ashburnham I f. Cr. Dimension: CM. 40 X 20 X 25 Description: This lyre represents a grotesque creature and is similar to the silver one reproducing a horse Leonardo gave to the Duke of Milan.
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